LaMelo Ball (Charlotte) and Dejounte Murray (San Antonio) will play in the NBA All-Star Game for the first time on February 20 in Cleveland, where they have been called up to replace the injured Kevin Durant and Draymond Green, the NBA announced Monday.
The two guards were selected at the discretion of Commissioner Adam Silver, in accordance with the rules of the event in case of departure. The coaches of the two teams invited the 14 substitutes, after the two initial teams were selected with the votes of fans, journalists and players.
The 20-year-old Ball, who emerged as the top rookie last season, confirms his promise this season with the Hornets, averaging 19.6 points, 7.5 assists and 7.1 rebounds in 47 games. He was scheduled to play the “Rising Stars” mini-tournament with the best players in their first and second year.
At the age of 25, Murray is enjoying his best season in five years in the NBA (19.6 points, 9.2 assists, 8.4 rebounds and 2.06 steals in 47 games). He is second in a successful triple-double (10) behind King MVP Nikola Jokic (14).
With the Nuggets Serb, but also Luka Doncic (Dallas) and James Harden (Brooklyn), Ball and Murray are part of a closed team of five players with at least 19 points, 7 assists and 7 rebounds per game.
Kevin Durand, the star of the Nets, who is treating a sprain in his left knee, leaves his position as a key player to Jason Tatum (Boston).
A leader named by the fans, “KD” will continue to take on this function by selecting, regardless of the Eastern or Western Union they come from, the players who will make up the “Team Durant” team, in turn with LeBron James (Lakers), captain of his team of the same name, on Thursday in the NBA on TNT.
Murray replaces Golden State Warriors’ Draymond Green, who is sidelined with a back injury.
